Who Makes the Official FIDE Chess Set?

Does FIDE actually make chess sets itself?

No. FIDE (the Fédération Internationale des Échecs) is the world governing body for chess, responsible for rules, ratings and the organisation of championships. It is not a manufacturer. There is no FIDE factory and no single company holds an exclusive, permanent FIDE licence to make "the official set". What FIDE does instead is publish equipment standards in its Handbook. Those standards describe the shape, size and proportions a set must have to be acceptable for serious competition. Any maker who builds to those standards can have a set approved for use at a tournament. Individual events sometimes sign supply or sponsorship deals with a particular brand, but that is a commercial arrangement for that event, not a worldwide monopoly.

What design does FIDE require?

FIDE requires the Staunton chess set pattern. This is the design created in 1849 by Jaques of London: a cross atop the king, a coronet for the queen, a mitre for the bishop, a horse's head for the knight, and a simple castellated turret for the rook. Every chess piece is identifiable instantly, which is exactly why it became the competition standard. FIDE's handbook specifies that pieces should be Staunton pattern, traditionally in black and white or natural light and dark wood. The clarity of the design matters at the top level, where games are recorded, broadcast and played under time pressure, and where ambiguity between pieces would be unacceptable.

What are the official FIDE size requirements?

FIDE sets out clear measurements. The king should stand about 95mm tall, within an accepted range of roughly 85mm to 105mm. The king's base diameter should be around 40 to 50 percent of its height, giving a stable, comfortable grip. Board squares should measure between 50mm and 65mm, chosen so a square is slightly larger than the king's base, leaving room for pieces to sit without crowding. A typical tournament pairing is a 95mm king on 55mm squares. A full set is 32 pieces, 16 per side. If you are choosing a chess set and want tournament-correct proportions, our guide to chess set sizes explains how king height and square size should match.

Where does the Staunton name come from?

The pattern is named after Howard Staunton, the leading English chess player of the 1840s, who lent his name and public endorsement to the design. Jaques of London created and produced the set, and Nathaniel Cook, working with and for Jaques, was the named registrant on the design paperwork when it was registered on 1 March 1849. The set was first advertised on 8 September 1849. Staunton's celebrity gave the new pattern instant credibility, and the association between his name and the design helped it spread across the chess world. To understand how it fits the wider history of chess, the game itself descends from chaturanga, played in India around the sixth century.

So who should you buy a FIDE-standard set from?

Because FIDE specifies a pattern rather than a brand, several makers produce competition-legal Staunton sets. Quality varies, so the things that matter are correct proportions, a stable weighted base, and clear traditional carving. Wooden chess sets in boxwood and ebony remain the classic choice for serious play, prized for their weight and feel. The most direct route to an authentic Staunton set is to buy from Jaques of London, the company that designed the pattern in 1849 and still makes it today. For newcomers wanting to learn the game on a proper board, our guide to how to play chess is the natural next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does FIDE sell or brand its own chess sets?

No. FIDE, the international chess federation, is a governing body, not a manufacturer. It does not own a factory, sell its own branded sets to the public, or grant an exclusive licence to one company. What FIDE does is publish equipment standards in its Handbook, which describe the Staunton pattern pieces and the board proportions used at official events. Any maker whose set meets those standards can be approved for a given tournament. Some events do strike sponsorship or supply deals with specific brands, but that is event by event, not a permanent FIDE-owned product.

Q: What size king does a FIDE-approved set use?

FIDE recommends a king height of about 95mm, with the permitted range running roughly from 85mm to 105mm. The base diameter of the king should be around 40 to 50 percent of its height, which keeps the piece stable and easy to grip. The board squares should measure between 50mm and 65mm, sized so a square is a little larger than the king's base. A 95mm king on 55mm squares is a common tournament combination. These proportions exist so pieces read clearly from across the board and never crowd one another.

Q: Why is the Staunton pattern the official standard?

The Staunton pattern won because it is instantly legible. Before 1849, chess pieces varied wildly by region, with ornate sets that were hard to tell apart in play. Jaques of London introduced a clean, symbolic design: a cross for the king, a coronet for the queen, a bishop's mitre, a knight modelled on a horse's head, and a simple castle turret for the rook. Players adopted it quickly because you could identify every piece at a glance. By the twentieth century that clarity made it the natural choice when FIDE codified its equipment rules.

Q: Can I buy a Staunton set from the company that created the design?

Yes. Jaques of London, founded in 1795, created the Staunton chess set in 1849 and has produced Staunton sets continuously ever since. The company still makes wooden Staunton sets today in boxwood for the light pieces and ebony or stained timber for the dark, in tournament sizes that meet the proportions used at official events. Buying from Jaques means buying from the originator of the pattern that FIDE now mandates worldwide. Their chess range is available directly, with sizes suitable for both serious play and display.